A suicide bomber has rammed a car full of explosive into the gates of the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, police say.
A suicide bomber has rammed a car full of explosives into the gates of the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital, killing 28 people, officials say.
Initial reports say seven people were killed as the bomb hit people queuing for visas. This has not been confirmed.
Health ministry officials say 141 people were injured in the blast, as people were queuing for visas.
The Indian embassy is opposite the country's interior ministry.
Two embassy vehicles were also destroyed in the attack, reports say.
There has been a sharp increase in Afghan violence in recent months, mainly in the south and east, although the capital has been relatively quiet.
There has been a sharp increase in Afghan violence in recent months, mainly in the south and east, although the capital has been relatively quiet.
Smoke was seen rising from the scene of the blast as police cordoned off the area. Ambulances were carrying away wounded from the scene.
Smoke was seen rising from the scene of the blast as police cordoned off the area. Ambulances were carrying away wounded from the scene.
"I couldn't feel anything," Abdul Raziq, who was distributing newspapers at the time, told the BBC.
"I couldn't feel anything," Abdul Raziq, who was distributing newspapers at the time, told the BBC.
"I saw glass falling down from buildings, before the area was crowded with ambulances, police and forces of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf)", Mr Raziq said.
"I saw glass falling down from buildings, before the area was crowded with ambulances, police and forces of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf)", Mr Raziq said.
Ali Hassan Fahimi said shrapnel had landed into his office, which is close to the site of the blast.
"It was so strong... and our staff got shocked," he said.
"The Kabul ambulance services alone evacuated seven dead and 19 wounded, but this is not the final figure," health ministry spokesman Abdullah Fahim told the AFP news agency.
"The Kabul ambulance services alone evacuated seven dead and 19 wounded, but this is not the final figure," health ministry spokesman Abdullah Fahim told the AFP news agency.
"We don't have the total number of casualties at this stage," Mr Fahim said.
"We don't have the total number of casualties at this stage," Mr Fahim said.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says there has been no claim of responsibility yet but the Taleban have vowed to step up attacks in the capital.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says there has been no claim of responsibility yet but the Taleban have vowed to step up attacks in the capital.
In April, there was an assassination attempt against the Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the city.
And earlier in the year, Taleban militants launched an attack on the Serena hotel killing several people.
India has close relations with Afghanistan. It has been funding a number of large infrastructure projects, correspondents say.
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